Nutley scavenger hunt deemed a success

Nutley Sun

Last September, the Nutley Chamber of Commerce committed further to its mission to "represent businesses, professionals and civic organizations, working together to promote the economic development of our town" by promoting its members in the Super Soul Scavenger Hunt.

Conceived, initiated and driven by Event Chairman Jim Russomano, owner of Nutley Auto, his committee set out to bring customers into Nutley businesses.

Grand prize winner Dana Majana, 22, checks out her leased Kia Soul.

"First, we had to figure out how to get the public to visit businesses they didn't even know existed in Nutley? What's the incentive to participate? That's when the scavenger hunt premise came to us with the car as a grand prize," said Russomano. Participants would be given a large "bingo" card, then asked to visit each sponsor to collect a sticker.

"Next, we had to get the sponsors on board," said attorney Andy Garruto. "It wasn't hard. We had hoped for 25 to 30." In the end, there were 57 business sponsors from every category, AXA Financial Advisors to Zippo Car Stereo. And just a month prior to Super Bowl XLVll, participants were on the street collecting stickers.

"This was a great opportunity to promote our business," said Chris Lucas, owner of Custodi Caterers. "We had a record number of jobs because of it. New customers came in to get their stamp and then placed orders for game day."

"This is what can happen when business owners work together," said Russomano. "And we got a lot of great helpful advice from Sam Carella of the Mayor's Office."

Dana Majana, 22, of Oakley Terrace in Nutley, was the grand prize winner. The Nutley High School alumna is working for her masters of fine arts at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Majana's first big decision was whether to choose a free three-year lease on a 2014 KIA Soul or $5,000 cash.

"Since I've been driving, I've dreamt of having a brand new car," said Majana. "My current car still has a tape deck made in 1995. I can't wait to drive my new Kia Soul down to the Jersey Shore and blast my music down the Parkway when summer comes."

"We had a lot of fun collecting the stickers and meeting the store owners," Majana said of the contest.

In all, participants visited more than 50 stores during the month-long hunt. On Jan. 31 at a cheese and wine reception sponsored by Nutley KIA, Majana's name was drawn. She wasn't present at the drawing but arrived within 15 minutes after being informed that she won.

"This event reminds me, once again, what's good for Nutley is good for me as a business owner," said Doug Nixon, owner of Speedpro Imaging,

Last September, the Nutley Chamber of Commerce committed further to its mission to "represent businesses, professionals and civic organizations, working together to promote the economic development of our town" by promoting its members in the Super Soul Scavenger Hunt.

Conceived, initiated and driven by Event Chairman Jim Russomano, owner of Nutley Auto, his committee set out to bring customers into Nutley businesses.

"First, we had to figure out how to get the public to visit businesses they didn't even know existed in Nutley? What's the incentive to participate? That's when the scavenger hunt premise came to us with the car as a grand prize," said Russomano. Participants would be given a large "bingo" card, then asked to visit each sponsor to collect a sticker.

"Next, we had to get the sponsors on board," said attorney Andy Garruto. "It wasn't hard. We had hoped for 25 to 30." In the end, there were 57 business sponsors from every category, AXA Financial Advisors to Zippo Car Stereo. And just a month prior to Super Bowl XLVll, participants were on the street collecting stickers.

"This was a great opportunity to promote our business," said Chris Lucas, owner of Custodi Caterers. "We had a record number of jobs because of it. New customers came in to get their stamp and then placed orders for game day."

"This is what can happen when business owners work together," said Russomano. "And we got a lot of great helpful advice from Sam Carella of the Mayor's Office."

Dana Majana, 22, of Oakley Terrace in Nutley, was the grand prize winner. The Nutley High School alumna is working for her masters of fine arts at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Majana's first big decision was whether to choose a free three-year lease on a 2014 KIA Soul or $5,000 cash.

"Since I've been driving, I've dreamt of having a brand new car," said Majana. "My current car still has a tape deck made in 1995. I can't wait to drive my new Kia Soul down to the Jersey Shore and blast my music down the Parkway when summer comes."

"We had a lot of fun collecting the stickers and meeting the store owners," Majana said of the contest.

In all, participants visited more than 50 stores during the month-long hunt. On Jan. 31 at a cheese and wine reception sponsored by Nutley KIA, Majana's name was drawn. She wasn't present at the drawing but arrived within 15 minutes after being informed that she won.

"This event reminds me, once again, what's good for Nutley is good for me as a business owner," said Doug Nixon, owner of Speedpro Imaging,